1. Biofilm Harvester
ALGAE
HARVESTER
SRO TECHNOLOGIES
Team:
Jennifer Van Galder
Bradley Dean
Rohit Abrol
Connor Doyle
Lucas Pissolati
Danilo Versiani
Industrial Partner:
Vincent Wong
Advisors
Nick Wong
Alex Yang
Faculty Supervisor:
Sandra Brancatelli
Jim Catton
April 8th 2015
2. Introduction
Problem - The algae growth from last years filtration
system begins to die off if it is not harvested about once
every two weeks.
Objective
Solution - Design and build a scalable and independent
algae harvester designed on the basis of cost
effectiveness, efficiency, and functionality.
Note: The components of the harvesting system have been left out of this presentation due to an NDA
8. Project Management
Project
Task Date Organization
1. Research September-01-2014 ❏ group meeting
❏ problem discussion
2. Prototype Ideas October-13-14 ❏ Brainstorm
❏ Separate into groups:
-mechanical,
electrical
3. Final Design Selection November-01-14 ❏ Final prototype
selection
❏ Further research
11. Project
Secondary Design
Advantage Disadvantage
➔ Independent
➔ Fully automated
➔ Easily
maintained,
replaceable
➔ Marketable
➔ High grip wheels
➔ versatile
➔ Longer method
to harvest
➔ Accumulation of
error
➔ Robot’s weight
➔ Complex
manufacturing
➔ Turning radius
➔ Wheels may
disturb the algae
Plastic Shell
Body
Scraper
Tank Style
Wheels
Control
System
12. Final Design
Wheel
Assembly
Body Assembly Control System
Note: Certain components are excluded from this image due to a
non-disclosure agreement
Advantage Disadvantage
➔ Independent
➔ Fully automated
➔ Easily
maintained
➔ Replaceable
➔ Marketable
➔ Multiple
applications
➔ Versatile
programming
➔ No turning
radius
➔ Longer
harvesting time
➔ Difficult to
manufacture
➔ Higher
manufacturing
cost
➔ Weight
Project
19. a. Mass of algae:
m = V x p
V = 28.32 Liters
p = 120 gram/liter
Mass is 3398.4 grams
(7.49 Pounds)
Testing
Calculations
b. Torque per motor
T = 100 x [(a x gsin) x M x r]
e
N
e = 65%
a = 0.5m/s^2
g = 9.81m/s^2
M = 50pounds
r = 0.0762meters
N = 2
Torque is 158.56 oz * in (1.198 Nm)
20. c. Power per motor
w = v
r
v = 0.5 m/s
r = 0.0762m
Power is 6.562 rad/s
Calculations
d. Battery Ratings for each drive motor
c = I x t
I = 1.225 Amps
t = 2 hours
Battery rating is 2.45 Amp * hour
Testing
